« New Daily Quest: Melee Training (Novice) »
This is what my quests menu looks like right now. After putting my mind to it, I managed to acquire two more daily training exercises to add to the routine. Melee weapons and Cavalry, all on the novice level just like the Aura training.
The Aura training grants 200 SP after doing it and subtracts 400 if I don't do it whereas Cavalry and Melee grant 100 SP each without penalty if I miss them. In a way, I was happy.
Earning 400 SP daily is huge and it seems like Sir System was trying to make me stronger, and since I don't spend much anyway, I am happy my SP Farm is up and running at least.
But now I have to deal with the training. Yesterday, Logan hammered the basics in me and made sure I only learned what I needed. His golden rule was to start from the ground up as if I were building something. I know martial arts so his insights were very inspirational to me.
"Your feet on the ground are the basis of attacking and defending."
"You need to stand accordingly before moving accordingly."
"There are three points at your feet, the thumb, the pinky, and the heel. Those three points stick to the ground when you are standing to make a perfect balance."
"One foot forward, one backward. If you want to move backward, push yourself with the leg ahead, don't drag yourself with the one in the back. Do it like jumping."
"Your back has a vital relationship to your breathing. You need to breathe in order to fight longer. If you bend your back much, your breathing becomes harder. Straighten your back, lower your posture."
"Try to make yourself smaller in size when standing. I can't tell you how to do it but how not to do it is not to stand face to face with attacks. If your hit area is smaller, you will have an easier time dodging."
Logan's tips revolved around the basics of martial arts and even though I am aware of most of them, it was nice to brush off my basics.
One thing I took notice of was how refined the martial technique he was using compared to what I know. It seemed like his technique was a combination of many things he learned during his service which harmoniously fit together, whereas I know some boxing, aikido, and taekwondo which is a good combination in most cases but I didn't engage in CQC on the field before.
"How do you feel about your weapon of choice?" Logan asked me.
In my head, all I can see is a sword but with some knowledge from my past life, I felt confident trying something like a saber for example.
"Rapier!"
That wasn't me saying it, it was Voros.
"But I don't know…"
"Rapier!"
"Can I at least…"
"RAPIER!"
"Fine! Sheesh!"
I looked at Logan and he seemed to be liking the idea.
"Rapier is actually nice. Easy to learn, hard to master. Not my specialty but I can teach you the basics." Logan said and began the lesson.
"Rapier relies on footwork and speed so you'll be moving a lot."
"The golden rule here is to stab, and not get stabbed."
"Your arm is for aiming the rapier, your footwork and bodyweight perform the attack for you."
"Footwork is a double-edged sword when you lunge for an attack. You are either going for a kill or going to be killed. That's why you train on footwork twice more than the rapier at the very least."
"If your opponent is armored, run! You can't always aim for armor gaps with a long rapier so try and shoot the armored enemy first. If that doesn't work, a dagger in your left hand can serve in both defending and targeting armor gaps. But my personal advice to you is to run."
"The most important aspects you can employ to your advantage are speed and control. Speed gives you movement and control gives you accuracy."
"And that's all I can teach you."
That all happened yesterday. Today, I woke up early in the morning, headed to the stable, rode on Robin to a secluded place in the back garden, and started training the aura Manual and the melee trading, finished in 40 minutes, and returned with Robin to the stables and put him food and water myself.
During the ride, I spotted an overgrown bit in the garden and stopped by Oliver to tell him I wanted it cleared as soon as possible. Since it was secluded, I could use it for training without worrying about the snooping maids of my Stepmother.
At breakfast, I met with Father, who was mostly interested in the gazette this morning, and Stepmother, who was still trying to be nice to me since the musical performance day.
"So, Vivian, I was talking with Madame Natasha Ivanov the other day, she said she would like to invite you tonight to her party for a very special and closed-door reveal that will shake the world. Wouldn't it be nice to have friends who share your interest in business?" Saskia spoke to me.
Somehow, You and Natasha are two of the women I want to avoid the most so that is not a selling point, stepmother. How I wish I could say that out loud.
"Well… I must apologize, Stepmother. Tonight I am hosting dinner for the partners in my company. And I don't think my business model has anything to do with Madame Natasha's." I replied politely so that nothing could be held against me when Father was present.
Also, it is creepy seeing her acting all nice. Her intent of showing me off to her middle-aged friends and controlling me in front of others is unmissable in her eyes.
"That's unfortunate…" Saskia seemed upset despite the fake smile, "All I saw you doing yesterday was lazing around and playing with firearms."
Well… it was my weekend.
"I apologize, stepmother but as it turned out, I don't think I have to explain myself even on my off days." I replied and put down the knife and fork while looking at her right in the eye.
I don't have time to deal with an airhead like her, whose only interest in the world is party here and party there.
"Vivian!"
But it seemed that my language with my stepmother hadn't gone unnoticed by Father, who looked at me with stern eyes and solemn airs. Even if I was rude, meddling in my business is something I find distasteful but it seemed that Father doesn't appreciate my sort of behavior over Saskia's.
In a tense atmosphere, my reply appeared to have stirred Father's attention to my choice of language. His stern expression and solemn demeanor indicated a growing disapproval. While I acknowledged that my behavior may not have adhered to the standards of politeness, I couldn't help but feel a sense of resentment towards Father's reaction and my stepmother's interference in my personal affairs. It became increasingly evident that Father favored Saskia's conduct over mine, as I appeared unruly and she was, of course, acting how a normal lady of her peerage would usually act.
"You should appreciate the chances your stepmother is offering you. You can't keep acting the way you do or you will be alienated by society once again." Father said.
"I… understand. I'm sorry, Father."
"Good." Father said and seemed to have finished his breakfast, "So, will you join Saskia for the party?"
"As I said, Father. I have a prior arrangement." I said.
"It can be called off. Try and…"
"It's alright."
As Father seemed to be pursuing the matter still, it was Saskia who dropped it.
"Tonight isn't the main party anyway. We were just visiting to get samples of the new product Madame Natasha will introduce before tomorrow's reveal." Saskia said.
So a party in preparation for another party, that's what she said, right?
I looked at my father and I wanted to say a lot but he averted his eyes.
Saskia can be a bit too much sometimes but what can I say? If it is tomorrow night, I guess my schedule is empty.
"Speaking of Madame Natasha, wasn't she the one leading the research on the Spirit Lotus?" I asked as I remembered something important.
"Right, I relied on her expertise in the field and she managed to extract the seeds of the Lotus. Right now, we are trying to regrow the Lotus from its seeds in a secret facility." Father said.
"That's marvelous! And have you discovered its secrets yet?"
"So far, we don't know much other than the Lotus seeds can be germinated only in a certain type of environment with rich volcanic content in the soil and it doesn't need light."
"And what is the return investment for all the money we poured into the Lotus?"
"So far, let's hope Madame Natasha's research proves fruitful." Father said and then raised his brows as if he had remembered something, "That reminds me, someone came to meet me yesterday regarding your business."
"An investor?"
"A sort of one. That friend of yours, Isabella, Count Alexander's daughter!"
"Pffft!"
It seems that I have completely forgotten about Isabella. Now that she has visited my father, I can't believe I have to go through this conversation with him.
"So… how do you like her, father?"
"A lively girl. She reminds me of the past." Father said with a hint of a smile.
Oh, no! She got him! Man down!
"How does she remind you of the past exactly?" Saskia asked.
"Remember Alexander and Claudia?" Father had a strange smile on his face.
"Oh, we all said those two wouldn't work out together." Saskia seemed to be reminiscing as well.
"Their daughter is just like the two, just as extravagant as her father and has a good head for business like her mother."
"Really. I've seen her in some of the parties as well but she's always doing something reckless."
"Speaking of reckless…" Father said and looked at me with a smile I couldn't dare to face.
Here it comes!
"… your friend has approached me with an interesting proposition."
"Just… whatever it is… Isabella isn't normally the serious type. She has her head in the clouds and all that."
"Really? She seemed very serious to me."
"You're okay with it?"
"Why wouldn't I? It is about time our family grew."
Oh, no!
I am getting a new stepmother!
She was serious about it all the way.
"Here partnership payment was mostly directed to invest in your company?" Father said something that seemed less dangerous than I thought.
"Partnership payment? Not dowry?" I asked.
"Funny you should say, she kept saying dowry as well."
"Uh-huh!"
"Either way, she said she wanted to invest in ViTech. I tried to convince her to wait until your first month's performance is revealed at the board's meeting but she insisted that you get the investment as soon as possible."
"Well… if that's the case, then I'll accept her investment. I think I have a few good ideas as to where I should put her money."
I am not a fan of the dense male troupe as much as the next girl but if dad is one, I am thanking the heavens with all my heart.
"Alright then, I am off to work." Father said and stood up off the table.
"Take care of yourself, husband."
Saskia stood up to see father off and I followed suit. But just as he put on his coat, I remembered something.
"Father, you will be going home tonight at 6 PM, am I right?" I asked.
"Yes. That's the usual time I get off work." He replied.
"Splendid. Can I ask you for a favor? Would you please take a detour through Parker St. on your way home tonight?" I requested while trying not to spoil anything.
"Are you inviting me to your company?"
"I would be honored to have you tonight, Father, but I just wanted you to see something interesting on your way home. A surprise, if all things go well tonight."
"Intriguing! It's alright. I can make a detour."
"Thank you, Father."
Tonight at ViTech, we will make our first move towards fame and success. If all goes well, Parker St. will be illuminated like nothing this world has ever seen.